Cabin in the Sky [Duckie Yellow Vinyl]

Released in November 2025, Cabin in the Sky stands as one of the most meaningful chapters in the story of De La Soul. Arriving two years after the passing of Trugoy the Dove, the album carries an undeniable emotional weight, yet it is anything but a sombre farewell. Instead, it feels like a celebration of legacy, friendship and creativity, built with care and confidence by a group fully aware of who they are and why they still matter.

The record marks a long-anticipated reunion with producer Prince Paul, whose fingerprints shaped De La Soul’s earliest and most influential work. That chemistry is immediately apparent: the beats are warm, playful and deeply musical, giving space for humour, reflection and sharp social insight to coexist. Previously unreleased vocals from Trugoy are woven throughout the album with sensitivity, never feeling archival or forced, but present in a way that reinforces his voice as central to the group’s identity.

As part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It… series, Cabin in the Sky feels especially assured. Rather than chasing trends or leaning too heavily on nostalgia, De La Soul sound relaxed and revitalised, drawing on decades of experience while keeping their sense of curiosity intact. The album balances lightness and gravity with ease: moments of joy and wit sit comfortably alongside reflections on absence, memory and continuity.

Critics responded warmly, with many highlighting how accessible and enjoyable the album feels even without full knowledge of its backstory. At its core, Cabin in the Sky is less about loss than about presence – the presence of Trugoy’s spirit, the enduring bond between the remaining members, and De La Soul’s lasting impact on hip-hop culture. It is a record that honours the past while firmly existing in the present, reaffirming why De La Soul continue to be regarded as one of the genre’s most treasured voices.